65th GRAMMY Awards - Arrivals LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Harry Styles attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Harry Styles feels validated after securing the Album of the Year award at the 2023 Grammys for Harry’s House. Styles expressed that sentiment in the show’s press room following his acceptance speech. He also answered whether he expected Beyoncé to win over him.
“I think… I mean you never know with this stuff, I don’t think you can look at any of the nominees and not feel like they’re deserving. I feel like when I look at this category, it’s all people who have inspired me at different times. So, it’s not like…you would understand anyone winning and…I’m really grateful that they chose us. Thank you.”
Though she has the most Grammy wins in history–32 total–she hasn’t snagged an award in the AOTY category throughout her solo career. In fact, voters have overlooked the Renaissance singer at least four times, including on Sunday’s loss.
Elsewhere in the press room interview, Harry said:
“I think we’re really overwhelmed at the moment, I definitely wasn’t expecting to get this. I think being nominated for stuff like this kind of really feels like the winning part, being recognized by your peers. It’s obviously incredibly nice to receive this. I don’t think it’s the reason that any of us in the room do it. I’m so, so grateful that they thought our album was worthy of it. I think, more than anything, it just kind of feels like validation that we’re on the right path. You know, when we get in the studio and begin a record, we just make the music that we wanna make, and I think it feels really nice to feel like, oh, that is the right thing to do.”
Watch the full press room interviews below:
Harry’s answer to the Beyoncé-related question reflects his sentiments during his acceptance speech. Upon the announcement of his win, Harry buried his face in his hands before embracing a cheering Lizzo, also a nominee in the category, and making his way to the stage.
He began his acceptance by thanking fellow nominees, including Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Adele, Mary J. Blige, Lizzo, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, ABBA, and Brandi Carlile.
“I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me at a lot of different times in my life. I listen to everyone in this category when I’m alone. I think on nights like tonight, it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there’s no such thing as best in music. I don’t think any of us sits in the studio making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these,” Harry said motioning to the golden award.
But Harry’s closing remarks have landed him in some hot water with Grammy enthusiasts, fans, and critics online.
“This doesn’t happen to people like me very often, and this is so, so nice. Thank you very much.”
People quickly pointed out that a cisgender, white man winning a Grammy does, in fact, happen often. Buzzfeed reports that the “overwhelming majority” of AOTY winners since 1959 identify in the same category as Harry.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé seemed unphased by the talk of being snubbed. She was captured on camera, standing and clapping for Harry as he accepted his speech.
She also celebrated making Grammy history with a heartwarming note to fans on her Instagram page.
